How to hire an environmental specialist lead

How to hire an environmental specialist lead, step by step

Here's a step-by-step environmental specialist lead hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an environmental specialist lead job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental specialist lead
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The environmental specialist lead hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An environmental specialist lead's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, environmental specialist leads from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of environmental specialist leads.

   Type of Environmental Specialist Lead	Description	Hourly rate
   Environmental Specialist Lead	Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.	$20-43
   Engineering Coordinator	An engineering coordinator organizes and oversees engineering projects. They typically perform administrative support tasks such as conducting extensive research and analysis, arranging schedules with clients, handling calls and correspondence, liaising with internal and external parties, reviewing contracts and other documentation, and managing the flow of documents and information across different teams... Show more	$19-37
   Engineering Project Coordinator	An engineering project coordinator works with project managers and specialists to ensure that all aspects of the project are carried out and cared for. They make sure that work is done according to schedule, the staff is doing their job per timeframe, the budget is allocated for, and expenditures are accounted for... Show more	$25-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Environmental Compliance
   • Management System
   • Data Collection
   • EPA
   • Quality Standards
   • Environmental Programs
   • EHS
   • Hazardous Waste
   • Hazardous Materials
   • SPCC
   • ISO
   • EMS
   • State Regulations
   • Environmental Monitoring

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and conduct various environmental engineering projects at DOD facilities.
   • Develop and provide require OSHA and EPA training to local workforce.
   • Conduct EHS facility evaluations focusing on the environmental and life safety standards pertaining to facility lease renewals, exits and entrances.
   • Conduct storm water compliance inspections, sampling, and reporting in accordance with site-specific SWPPP's.
   • Participate in mercury content analysis, stack testing, and asbestos removal assessments.
   • Work also include management of asbestos and lead abatement projects, underground storage tank removal, and site/groundwater remediation.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your environmental specialist lead job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An environmental specialist lead can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, environmental specialist leads' average salary in missouri is 50% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level environmental specialist leads 52% less than senior-level environmental specialist leads.
   • Certifications. An environmental specialist lead with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an environmental specialist lead's salary.

   Average environmental specialist lead salary

   $62,427yearly

   $30.01 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level environmental specialist lead salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing an environmental specialist lead job description

   A good environmental specialist lead job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an environmental specialist lead job description:

   Environmental specialist lead job description example

   We are seeking to hire a Natural Resources Leader/Department Manager in the Environmental Services Global Practice \(division\) in our Brea, CA or Los Angeles, CA office to lead Natural Resources projects for a variety of industry types including transportation, municipal, water/wastewater, renewable energy, electrical utility, and others\. In addition, the candidate would help oversee environmental permitting services, lead construction compliance and environmental clearance and monitoring services for the office\.
   
   Burns & McDonnell is a 100% employee\-owned firm ranked on FORTUNE's List of 100 Best Companies to Work For and voted as a Best Place to Work in numerous cities across the United States\.
   
   Join a well\-established team within a full\-service California office with opportunity for growth\. This individual will enhance our existing environmental permitting, construction compliance and environmental clearance and monitoring services presence in the region working closely with established clients across multiple markets\. Additionally, the ideal candidate will help expand our environmental permitting services and client base in the region\.
   
   The Department Manager will work within an integrated team within our Environmental Services Global Practice \(division\) to perform the following duties:
   
   + Perform project management responsibilities for environmental permitting and construction monitoring projects\.
   + Business development and networking
   
   + Assist with and lead proposal and cost estimating efforts for environmental permitting and construction compliance projects\.
   
   + Regularly interface with various agencies, clients, and team members
   
   + Mentor and train junior level environmental staff
   
   + Assist with recruiting, development, training, and retention of staff\.
   
   + Help develop mitigation banking instruments and mitigation banks/sites Participate in and leverage Burns & McDonnell's Mitigation Banking practice
   
   + Demonstrate creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in anticipating and solving problems with strategic thinking\.
   
   + Demonstrated ability negotiating with regulatory agencies on our clients' behalf with a strategic mind\-set\.
   
   + Other duties, as assigned\.
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   + Bachelor's or master's degree in a natural resources or environmental sciences program from an accredited program\.
   
   + Minimum 10 years' related professional experience in California, in natural resources and/or environmental permitting project execution including leading teams in the field or office, coordinating staff, and/or project management\.
   
   + Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients\.
   
   + Candidates must possess strong project execution and interpersonal skills as well as a strategic perspective\.
   
   + Minimum of 10 years' experience with natural resources, environmental permitting, California Environmental Quality Act \(CEQA\), National Environmental Policy Act \(NEPA\), habitat conservation plans \(HCPs\), and mitigation plan development\.
   
   + Experience with project management, environmental regulations, and agency coordination \(USFWS, state agencies, etc\.\) is preferred\.
   
   + Familiarity with the Endangered Species Act \(ESA\), CEQA, NEPA, and other pertinent regulatory guidance is preferred\.
   
   + Field experience and knowledge of environmental field investigation techniques required\.
   
   + Strong analytical and problem\-solving skills\.
   
   + Ability to clearly communicate both verbal and written technical information and work effectively with various audiences \(including public officials, agency representatives, property owners, businesses, clients, construction contractors, etc\.\)\.
   
   + Demonstrated knowledge of environmental site assessment methods, permitting processes, regulatory compliance, and compliance audits\.
   
   + Must be proficient in the use of computer software \(i\.e\., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint\)\.
   
   + Valid driver's license required\. In addition, must meet standards to qualify for and maintain the Company's vehicle driving privileges as outlined in the Company's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy\.
   
   + Ability to travel up to 25%, as required\.
   
   EEO/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans
   
   **Job** Environmental
   
   **Primary Location** US\-CA\-Los Angeles
   
   **Schedule:** Full\-time
   
   **Travel:** Yes, 25 % of the Time
   
   
   \#LI\-JP \#ENS N/A

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find environmental specialist leads for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any environmental specialist leads they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level environmental specialist leads with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your environmental specialist lead job on Zippia to find and recruit environmental specialist lead candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit environmental specialist leads, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new environmental specialist lead

   Once you've decided on a perfect environmental specialist lead candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new environmental specialist lead. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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